South Korea scrambles fighters in response to Chinese planes

China deployed the J-11 fighter and other aircraft into South Korea and Japan-claimed airspace on Monday, according to Seoul's joint chiefs of staff. File Photo by Office of the U.S. Secretary of Defense/EPA

Dec. 18 (UPI) -- South Korea scrambled fighter jets after five Chinese military aircraft entered the country's Air Defense Identification Zone, or KADIZ, on Monday.

The deployment of two Chinese bombers, two fighters jets and a reconnaissance plane follows South Korean President Moon Jae-in's summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

A South Korean joint chiefs of staff official said the Chinese planes entered Korea-claimed airspace from the southwest -- and also flew into Japan's Air Defense Identification Zone, or JADIZ, South Korean newspaper Maeil Business reported.

"After our military noticed the aircraft approaching the KADIZ from the west, we used a hotline with the Chinese military to confirm whether or not it was Chinese military aircraft, and to take countermeasures," the South Korean official said.

"Chinese security guards kicked Korean journalists in the face and engaged in a group attack," protesters said Friday. "It is a barbarous act, and it is hard to believe it could happen in a civilized country."